Time for a facelift

Memorial Tower on St. John's campus receives new clock faces

The previous clock faces were damaged by high winds and were replaced thanks to a donation from the Johnson Family Foundation.

1/ And it begins!

The work crew gets set up in anticipation of removing the first clock face.

Photo: Chris Hammond

2/ Face removal underway

The first clock face is removed from the Memorial Tower.

Photo: Chris Hammond

3/ Hoisted down

Easy does it . . .

Photo: Chris Hammond

4/ No crane required

The clock face is removed with ropes and steady hands.

Photo: Chris Hammond

5/ Bird's eye view

Work crew members keep an eye on the operation in the sky.

Photo: Chris Hammond

6/ Time flies

Almost to the ground.

Photo: Chris Hammond

7/ Success!

The first clock face touches down.

Photo: Chris Hammond

8/ Round 2

The second clock face begins its descent.

Photo: Chris Hammond

9/ Look up, way up

It's not everyday the Memorial community sees this kind of operation on campus.

Photo: Chris Hammond

10/ Going down

The university's crest is momentarily covered by the clock face.

Photo: Chris Hammond

11/ Hold the rope!

Two down, one to go.

Photo: Chris Hammond

Built by the Verdin Company, the new faces are made of cast acrylic, which is considered to be much stronger and more robust than the original faces. Verdin have been in the clock making business since 1842 and have supplied the clock faces for Big Ben in London and the Basilica in St. John’s.

Photographer Chris Hammond was on site last week as two of the clock faces were replaced.

Mandy Cook is news editor with Marketing & Communications. She can be reached at mandyc@mun.ca.